Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Saturday virtually inaugurated the ‘Angan Ka Utsav’ campaign to strengthen nutrition, health awareness and early childhood development services for children, women and adolescent girls across the state.
The campaign was inaugurated from the Conference Hall of the Department of Women and Child Development.
On the occasion, the deputy CM announced an increase in the clothing allowance for Anganwadi workers and helpers from Rs 1,390 to Rs 1,500. Under the revised provision, the Central government will contribute Rs 600, while the Odisha government will provide Rs 900.
With a total budgetary provision of Rs 22.30 crore, approximately 1.48 lakh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers across Odisha will benefit directly from the revised allowance.
Parida also launched Direct Invoice Payment & Tracking Interface (DIPTI), a digital initiative for streamlined electricity bill management at Anganwadi Centres. The Department of Women and Child Development has become the first department in Odisha to introduce such an initiative.
Developed jointly by the Department of Women and Child Development and DISCOMs, DIPTI will enable digital and direct verification, payment and tracking of electricity bills.
The initiative is aimed at relieving Anganwadi Workers of the financial and administrative responsibility of paying electricity bills and helping ensure uninterrupted power supply at Anganwadi Centres.
Speaking at the programme, Parida said the initiative would reduce the administrative burden on Anganwadi Workers and save their valuable time, allowing them to focus more effectively on nutrition, health and early childhood development services for children and mothers.
The Angan Ka Utsav campaign will be observed across all Anganwadi Centres in Odisha from September 27 to 29, 2026. It is being organised as part of the ongoing Poshan Maah, being observed from September 9 to October 8, and the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, which runs from September 17 to October 17.
The three-day campaign will cover all 74,224 Anganwadi Centres in the state. Around 37,11,200 beneficiaries and Anganwadi Management Committee members, along with 13,03,415 children in the 3–6 years age group, are expected to participate.
The first day, September 27, will focus on nutrition and food competitions. ‘Poshan Pitha’ prepared by family members will be showcased, while cooking competitions for fathers using locally available food ingredients will also be organised.
On September 28, the second day will feature child-centric recreational activities, games and storytelling sessions. Reading materials, including ‘Ama Kunipila’ and ‘Mo Bikash Patra’, will be showcased.
Children will also be served lassi, locally available fruits and millet cookies.
The concluding day on September 29 will feature discussions on key government initiatives and schemes, including POSHAN, SUBHADRA, MAMATA, PM-AWAS and ADVIKA. A healthy ‘Tiranga Thali’ meal will also be arranged for Anganwadi and ASHA workers.
Speaking at the inauguration, Parida highlighted the crucial role of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers in delivering nutrition and child development services at the grassroots level.
She called for making Angan Ka Utsav a meaningful platform for strengthening community participation in programmes aimed at the welfare of children and mothers. She also emphasised that active involvement of families and communities is essential for better nutrition, health and holistic development of children.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Director Monisha Banerjee, CEO of TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) Gajanan S. Kale, and senior officials of the Department and TPCODL were present at the inaugural programme.
The officials called upon all stakeholders to actively participate in the campaign and make the three-day initiative a success.
